Straw packaging machine



Feb. 7, 1939. J TQQLAN 2,146,490

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1934 17 Sheets-Sheefl Jbhn cITooZam J. J. TOOLAN Feb. 7, 1939.

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jfihn 7501 604 Feb. 7, 1939.

J. J. TOYOLAN 7 2,146,490

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 17 Sheets-Sheet z Feb. 7, 1939, 1 J. J. TOOLAN S TRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q i 8N. m m

Feb. 7, 1939. J. J. TOOLAN 2,146,490 STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 i 1'7 Sheets-Sheet s Feb. 7, 1939. J. 1. TOOLAN S'iRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 l7 Sheets-Sheet 7' Feb. 7, 1939. J. J. 'TOOLAN.

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE I Filed July es, 19254 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 8 w W. I I |lrl|| J2 1 mm V J, J. TOOLAN Feb. 7, 1939.

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1934 17 SheetsSheet l1 JZhn 75:22am

Feb. 7, 1939. J.-J. TOOLAN STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE- Filed July 6, 19:54 17 Sheefs-Sheet 12 70k?! Too lair? J. J. TO OI AN STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Feb. 7, 1939.

l7 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed July 6, .1934

Jam, 1 7 0 J. J. TOOLAN Feb. 7, 11939.

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 17 Sheets-Sheet l5 Feb. 7, 1939, J. J. TOOLAN- Y 5 9 I STRAW PACKAGING MAC INE Filed July 6, 1954 v 17 Shets-Sheet 1e J. J. TOOLAN- :Feb. 7, 1939.

STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1954 1-7 Sheets-Sheet 17 Y ZQJW/M/H/l/l/ ZIP/g I auvcnfoi cfizhn J 72:02am

Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAW PACKAGING MACHINE land Application July 6, 1934, Serial No. 734,056

29 Claims.

My invention relates to machines for packaging drinking straws or other similar tubular articles.

It has for an object to provide a machine which will take a selected number of straws (one or more, two being the number in the embodiment of the invention illustrated) and by a continuous, as distinguished from an intermittent, action feed the straws and the envelopes or wrap- 7 pers, insert the straws into the wrappers, seal the wrappers and deliver the packages from the machine.

Another object is to provide a machine in which the wrappers are formed, the straws inserted therein, the ends of the wrappers sealed, and the packages selectively discharged from the machine in predetermined groups (two groups in the embodiment illustrated).

Further, it is an object to provide a straw packaging machine in which the wrappers are formed from a continuous strip of paper and on which is printed certain selected matter by a mechanism which prints a predetermined number of inscriptions alternating with one another so that two (or more) orders for printed wrapped straws may be run out of the same machine without the necessity of changing the type set-up (when two set-ups are used every other straw wrapper will be the same), and selectively to discharge the packages from the machine so that all packages having like printed matter will be gathered together.

Further, it is an object to provide a straw packaging and printing machine in which provision is made whereby different colors may be printed on the wrappers through a simple adjustment of an ink roller carriage without the necessity of removing and replacing the ink roller from and to the machine. 7

Another object is to provide a machine of a rugged construction, a large capacity, provided with suitable safety devices for stopping the machine if and when something goes wrong, as for instance, if the straw hopper becomes empty or the paper strip becomes broken or the straws fail to enter the wrapper filling units, or if the straws pile up in the feeding or filling mechanism in a manner which would tend to jam the machine or cause it to deliver defective packages.-

Again, it is an object to provide, in a straw wrapping machine, a wrapper carrying drumlike unit that receives the wrappers from the forming mechanism and holds them in a position to receive the straws from a rotary straw receiver,

and wrapper loading unit, means being provided for simultaneously sealing the ends of the stuffed wrappers.

Further, it is an object to provide a machine for the purposes described wherein the wrappers are held by suction to the wrapper carrying unit and in proper positions to receive the straws and to cooperate with the wrapper end closingcrimping rolls,

Further it is an object to provide an improved straw hopper and feeding means for feeding the straws in selected groups (pairs in the embodiment illustrated) to the straw receiver.

Further it is an object to provide improvements and refinements in the various parts of the machine to the end that the machine will be highly efiicient in its operation.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in the novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first-fully described in the following detailed description, and then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 13 when joined on the lines A-B constitute a plan view of the complete machine.

Figures 2A and 23 when joined on the lines A-B constitute a front elevation of my machine.

Figures 3A and 3B when joined on the lines A--B constitute a rear elevation of the machine.

Figures 4 to 8 inclusive are cross sections on the line 44 of Figure 2A and show the sequence of positions of the devices which deposit the wrappers into the holders of the wrapper carrying unit.

Figure 9 is a cross section on the line 9-9 of Figure 1A showing the wrapper-tube cutting mechanism- Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of the scissors, the principal parts thereof being separated.

Figure 11 is a cross section on the line Ill| of Figure 3B, showing the straw feeding mechamsm.

Figure 12 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Figures 1A and 2A and 33, looking from left to right in Figure 3B; the parts in section are taken on the line A-B in Figure 3B.

Figure 13 is a detail cross section on the line l3-l3 of Figure 3B,

Figure 14 is a detail perspective view of the funnel end of a straw receiving slide.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective View of the other end of a straw receiving slide.

Figure 16 is a detail end elevation of the slide and its retainer, part being broken away.

Figure 17 is a detail perspective View of the pushing end of the straw inserting push-bar.

Figure 18 is a detail perspective View of one of the cross-heads.

Figure 19 is an edge elevation of one of the straw selector wheels.

Figure 20 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 21 is a detail vertical longitudinal section showing the vacuum or suction means to hold the wrappers to the wrapper holding bars of the wrapper carrier. i I

Figure 22 is a detail perspective view of one of the wrapper-holding bars.

Figure 23 is a detail elevation of the detachable block of one of the safety devices. Figure 24 is an enlarged detail front elevation of the wrapper forming mechanism. 7 c

Figure 25 is an enlarged'd'etail elevation and part section showing the means to lubricate the inner longitudinal seam-sealing roller.

Figure 26 is a further enlarged detail plan View of a portion of the apparatusshown in Figure 25.

Figure 2'7 is a detail section of a' part of the printing cylinder.

Figure 28 is a detail perspective view of one of the plate or type carriers for the printing cylinder. H

Figure29 is a detail section on the-line 2929 of Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a detail elevation of a portion of the platen wheel.

Figure 31 is a detail vertical section of the structure shdwn in Figure 30.

Figure 32 is a detail cross section on the line 32 32 of Figure 39. c

Figure 33 is a detail perspective view of the longitudinal seam lapping die.

'Figure 34 is an enlarged detail section on the line 34%34 of Figure 24. V

Figure 35 is a detail cross section on the line 35 35 of Figure 26.

Figure 36 is a detail perspective view of the safety device used when a break in the continuity of the paper strip occurs or the end of the roll of paper has been reached.

Figure ?;7 is a detail levation of the two part printing wheel with the parts separated.

Figure 38 is a detail perspective view of one of the adjustable pivot plates.

Figure 39 is an enlarged detail section on the line 39 3 9 of Figure 1B Figure 4( is a circuit diagram of the safety devices showing how they cooperate with the driving motor.

Figure ll is a detail view later referred to.

In the drawings in which like numerals ofreferen ce indicate like parts in all of the figures it will beobse'rved that the machine comprises several major units, namely: the printing mechanism, the continuous wrapper forming mechanism th'e wrapper severing mechanism, the wrapper receiving mechanism, the straw feeding and wrapper stufiing mechanism, and the package discharging mechanism.

The machine comprises a base i which is supported on suitable standards 2. Held in a bearing lin an end standard 3, and in a corresponding bearing 105:0 in a standard we, is the main shaft of the package and straw assembling units, shown particularly in Figures 1A, 2A and 3B of the drawings. Secured to the shaft 5 are disks l, 8, 9, lil, II and i2, and mounted on the shaft 5 is a barrel-cam l8 having a hub portion on which is rotatably mounted a ring-like disk 6. The cam is held from rotating by a locked screw 35. Pairs of guide bars l3 are secured to and between the disks 6 and l, constituting therewith a rotatable drum-like skeleton. In the embodiment illustrated there are six pairs of guide bars disposed sixty degrees apart. The bars !3 have longitudinal slots M constituting guideways for the cross-heads l5 which are mounted to be reciprocat'ed along the guide bars by means of rollers 28 which engage in a cam groove L) of the cam l8. Secured (preferably adjustably) on each cross-head E5 is a pivot plate 2i which has a stud ll to which a push-bar H5 is pivoted.

Mounted in radial slots in the disks 1, 8, 9 and i9 is a set of straw receiving slides 22 each of which has a longitudinal straw receiving groove of a width to take the number of straws that the machine is designed to place in one package (two straws to the package in the illustrated embodiment of my invention). Each slide 22 has grooves 2 (forming with the groove 23 a T-slot). A push-bar it operates in each groove 23. The bar it has suitably located wings as in the grooves 2 to guide and steady the bar as it is moved longitudinally in the groove 23.

In order to hold the slides 22 in place on the disks 11,8; 9 and ii retainers 29 are secured to the disks 8, 9 and iii. These retainers (see Figures 2A, 15 and 16) have fingers 28 which enter longitudinal grooves 25 in the slides 22 as shown.

At the front end of each slide is secured a plate 25 which carries a funnel member 2? that is designed to be inserted in one open end of a wrapper W and through which funnel the straws S are passed into the wrappers; Each slide 22 is also provided with a pair of spaced cross-grooves 3! (see Figures 2A and 14), the purpose of which will later appear.

The front end of each push-bar I5 is provided with a number of prongs 32 (the number depends on the number of straws to be placed in a package). These prongs 32 are adapted to enter an open end of the straw and hold the same to move simultaneously forward through the funnel 2'. into the wrapper W with which it is cooperating. I The slide 22 is given a slight longitudinal stroke, enough to bring the funnel 2? into and remove it from a wrapper W, by means of a cam groove 33 in the cam l3 with which groove a roller 34 on each slide engages.

The parts 5 to 3 inclusive constitute the rotary straw receiving and delivering sub-unit of the machine. The wrapper receiving and holding mechanism includes the disks ii and 52 on the shaft 5. To the peripheries of these disks are secured a set (six in the embodiment illustrated) of wrapper receiving and holding bars 35 (one being shown in perspective in Figure 22). Each bar 33 includes a groove 3'! comprising a seat for the wrapper. The bar is cut away to leave transverse spaces 33 and it is also provided with ears 32 by which it is secured to the disks H and I2. Two methods are disclosed in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for preventing the wrappers from falling out of the grooves 31, either or both of which may be used at the same time in the machine as may best suit the designer. One method consists in the provision of suitably located guides LAW-253 (see Figures 4 and 13), the guide Mi being centrally located and the guide 40 being located near the end. An endstop plate 339 serves to hold the wrappers against endwise movement while the funnels 21 are being inserted, while a yieldable tension finger 204 (see Figure 13) places sufficient tension on the package WS while the funnel 21 is being withdrawn, to hold the package against following the funnel. The finger 204 is pivoted at 206 on a support 208 and is held in pressure contact with the package WS by a spring 201, there being a stop 205 provided to restrain the inward movement of the finger 204. e

The other method consists in a vacuum or suction means (see particularly Figures 1A, 9 and 21). In this method the bars 36 are provided with longitudinal ducts having branches 66 to each section of the elements which have the grooves 31. Each bar also has a port 68 communicating with a port 61 in the disk I2. An air distributing disk 69 is held on the shaft 5 against rotation by a bar or bracket 14 and is held in air-tight contact with a face of the disk I2 by a spring 10 and collar 1| on the shaft 5. The disk 69 has a distributing groove 13 which extends from a place just beyond the wrapper receiving position to a place justin advance of the package removing position (see Figure 9), so that immediately after the wrapper has been deposited in the groove 31 of a bar 36 it will be held against movement in any direction until it has been stuffed and brought to a place adjacent the end crimping rolls, and the place where the package is removed from the bar 31 for delivery from the machine. Connection to any suitable suction source (not shown) is made by means of a duct 12. When the suction method is employed the elements 40, 40', 203, 204 and 339 may be omitted or used simply as safety means in case the suction fails. V

The mechanism which receives the cut sections of wrapper and delivers them-into grooves 31 of the proper bars 36 is best shown in Figures 1A and 2A and 4 to 8 inclusive, by reference to which it will be seen that 15 indicates a fixedly mounted bracket which carries suitably spaced wrapper guide and stop blocks 16 that line up with the grooved sections of the bars 36. Envelope receiving fingers 11 are carried by a movable bar 18 and line up with the spaces 38 (see Figures 2A and 4). The bar 18 is carried by an arm 19 and lever 80, the latter having a roller 8| to engage a cam 82 on the cam-shaft 90. The arm or bar 19 and the lever are respectively pivoted to arms 83 and 84. The'arms 83 and 84 are rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft or rod I09 and are connected together to move as one by a yoke I 02. The arms 83 and 84 are rocked through an arm 85 having a roller 340 engaged by a cam 34! on the cam-shaft 99.

Upper wrapper guiding and placing fingers 86 are carried by a bar 81 which is rigidly secured to the lever arm 88 and arm 89. The arms 88 and 89 are respectively pivoted to arms 93 and 94 which rotatably mounted on the rod I00 and are connected together to move as one by a yoke IN. The lever arm 88 has a roller 9I that engages the cam 92 on the shaft 90. The roller 9! is held in contact with its cam by a spring 98, while the roller BI is held to its cam by a spring 342. Springs 99 pull down on the arms 83 and 93. The arms 93 and 94 are moved in unison by the cam 91 which engages the roller 96 on the lever arm 95 that is rigid with the arms 93 and 94.

Standards I03 and I04 support the rod I00, the shafts I33 and 90, the standards having bearings I05 and I06 for the cam shaft and bearings I34 and I35 for the shaft I33. The standard I04 has a'bearing I043: for the shaft 5.

' A gear I01 on the shaft 90 meshes with a gear I31 on the shaft I33. The gear I31 in turn meshes with the gear 2I8 on the shaft 2I9 hereinafter again referred to. The standard I03 and a second standard I36 have bearings I34 for the shaft I33. Mounted on the base I and located at the. rear of the machine between the standards I03 and I04 is a casting I08 having a lower step u bearing I09 and an upper bearing II!) for the shaft I I4 which carries a ball-thrust bearing I I5 to support the weight of the shaft I I4 and the parts carried thereby. The casting I08 also supports a pair of parallel rods III on which the scissors carriage H2 slides back and forth, the carriage having bearings I I3 to fit on the rods I I I; The purpose in having the carriage slide along the rods is to enable the cutting mechanism to follow the wrapper at the same speed While the wrapper is being severed and to push the severed section into properly aligned position with the wrapper receiving drum.

The shaft II4 carries a worm gear II6 that meshes with a similar gear I40 on the shaft I33. It also carries a cam plate I I1, having cam members II8 to cooperate with a roller II9 on the carriage II2 for pushing the carriage in one direction; a spring I20 is provided to move the carriage in the opposite direction.

The cutter employed is a scissors-type cutter and comprises a lower member I 2I and an upper member I21, gear connected at I30--I3I and pivotally mounted at I23 and I 29 to the bracket 343 that extends from the rear of the carriage H2. The scissors members I23 and I21 carry removable and adjustable blades I22 and I28 respectively. The scissors is operated by a cam I38 on the shaft I33, the cam having a recess-groove I39 to receive a roller I26 on the extension arm I24 that is secured to the scissors arm I2I. A spring I25 closes the scissors when the roller I26 drops into the groove I39. A stop arm I32 carried by the bracket 343 prevents the wrapper from lifting when the scissors opens.

To take up end thrust on the shaft I33, due to the sliding of roller I26 along the groove I39,

.a ball thrust bearing MI is provided. In order that the wrapper after it has been formed and longitudinally sealed (as will later appear) may pass between the blades of the scissors freely while the scissors are open, I provide adjacent the scissors a guide I18 having a hole I19 for the passage of the wrapper (see Figure 12).

A gear I42 on the shaft 5 meshes with a gear I43 on the straw selector shaft I44, which gear a gear I48 on the shaft I43.

The article delivering mechanism which assorts the packages according to the printed matter thereon into a plurality (two in the embodiment illustrated) of groups comprises a delivering shaft 4i having a pair of disks with arms 43 to receive the packages from the bars 36 and deliver them to the off-take chutes of the receivers 44 and 46, as the case may be. The lower receiver 44 is fixedly held at 45 and is designed to receive all packages not selected by the selector fingers 336 which are carried by a rockershaft 48. The lower receiver 44 also has fingers 331, as shown in Figures 2A and 4. I

The upper receiver 46 is fixedly held at .41 

